carencia
nounCEFR B2
What does “carencia” mean in English?
lack, shortage — an absence or deficiency of something needed
lack, shortage — an absence or deficiency of something needed (carencia de recursos; carencia afectiva)
Example sentences
La carencia de recursos educativos en zonas rurales sigue siendo una brecha difícil de cerrar.
The lack of educational resources in rural areas remains a gap that is difficult to close.
Los estudios muestran que la carencia afectiva en la infancia puede tener efectos duraderos en la salud mental.
Studies show that emotional deprivation in childhood can have lasting effects on mental health.
El informe detectó carencias graves en los protocolos de seguridad de varias plantas industriales.
The report identified serious shortcomings in the safety protocols of several industrial plants.
How to use it
La carencia (noun, feminine) means 'lack', 'shortage', or 'deprivation' — an absence of something needed. Unlike falta (a temporary or accidental absence), carencia implies a structural or deeper deficit. Key collocations: carencia de recursos/afecto/vitaminas; carencia afectiva (emotional deprivation); carecer de (verb: to lack). Distinguish from falta (absence, missing something), escasez (scarcity — quantitative), and ausencia (absence — more neutral).
Common mistake
Carencia (structural lack) ≠ falta (accidental/temporary absence). Carecer de + noun (verb: to lack) is the verbal form — always followed by a noun, never an infinitive: carece de recursos (not *carece de tener). 'Nutritional deficiency' = carencia nutricional or déficit nutricional. The plural carencias is common in audit and evaluation language.